Photo contest - Garden Landscapes

First, I must say that I have not read all the threads in this regard but am wondering why the professional/botanical gardens are included with the home gardens? Some of the pictures seem to be taken from magazines. Photos of professional gardens should not weed out the beauty of fellow backyard gardeners. Are we voting for photograpy or best home landscape? I must be missing something here. Would someone please enlighten me.
Thanks,
Carol

I think all our gardens have something to share but a photo of a beautiful garden could very be unattractive if taken poorly and a photo of an unattractive garden could be a masterpiece. There is some skill to taking a good photo, it involves more than a nice subject (although that helps :)


Having said that.......I believe it is up to the individual voter to decide what their own basis for judging is. Overall it is a photography contest but there are no rules for the actual judging, allowing for a wide range of possible winners. As it is a photography contest and not a landscape contest, the subjects need only fulfill the category.

Since there's not a separate category for the public/botanical gardens, there's nowhere else for people to put those pictures. And the only rule is that you had to take the picture, there's no rule that you have to have designed the garden you took a picture of. Everyone votes for what they want to--some people probably look for quality of photography, others probably look for the beauty of the subject, but there's no set criteria, everyone makes up their own mind what they want to vote for.

I often have to remind myself that this is a photo contest and not a gardening contest.

Ditto to Al.

Hmmmm, that just seems not quite fair. So, we are judging the quality of the picture only. Gottcha.
Some of us have $400 cameras and there are those who have $2,000+ Wonder which picture will turn out the best... You can just about bank on the fact that the expensive cameras are going to have the perfect pictures.
Thanks,

You can judge however you want--there aren't any judging criteria, so everyone gets to judge based on whatever criteria they choose. If you want to judge what's in the picture rather than the quality of the photograph, that's totally up to you.

Also, you'd be surprised at the nice pictures you can get with cheaper cameras...maybe you can't get some of the super up close macro shots as well, but for things like landscapes I don't think you need a fancy camera to get a good picture.

Well, but to me there's more to a great photo than great equipment. Composition, framing, lighting, subject interest, timing... all these things come together to make a really good picture. And yes, they're all highly subjective, but then, isn't all good art? :)

One of my own criteria was simply "is it in focus?" I also ruled out a lot of pictures that were pretty, and may have been taken with really good gear, but that just weren't interesting to me. There are some subjects that are just inherently fun to photograph, but for a contest, I was looking for something that stood out as an unusual subject captured in a way that made it stand out.

Now, who knows how many of my own personal pics will make it into the top 3? :) But that's how I came at the whole process.

Ditto, Tucson. I ruled out out-of-focus shots in my first pass through. I judged based on composition, color, exposure, etc. The "wow" factor was another big part of my process. Did the thumbnail grab me? I enlarged it. That's how I made my first pass.

I voted on whether I'd want to look at that photo for 30 days. :-)

Shoot, I have taken some excellent photos which even surprised me with my outdated Sony 2.1 megapixel and my Sony 3.3 megapixel digital camera that my husband bought off of EBay for $15.95 and $150.00 respectively 5 or so years ago. I wish I had a expensive photographic equipment, but I don't. Most of the time in bright sunlight, I have to guess whether my shot is in focus because I can't see the image in the LCD screen display area due to the bright sunlight. My camera does not have a view finder. Don't assume that a cheap camera will not take a good photo in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. What is really weird is that a lot of my macros usually are better than my landscape photos.

Here's one of the photos I took with my Sony 3.3 megapixel $150.00 which I liked. It was difficult to take due to the angling of the petals making it difficult to have them all in pretty good focus. I also find whites difficult to photograph because the many lighting conditions tend to fade out the details.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/153385/

Flowerette, hi, fellow Texan. :o) Please rethink assuming that a great photo has been taken by a professional with good equipment and rule it out. You may be surprised by who took the photos to which you refer when the contest ends. You can contact the person and ask what kind of camera they used and whether or not the person is a professinal photographer. I assumed when voting that this is a photo contest. I looked for interesting subjects/beauty of the subjects as well as quality of the photos and how difficult the photo was to shoot. I agree with Tusconjill, that a great photo entails many things including the subject matter and how it is framed.

As ecrane3 states, there's nowhere else for people to put those pictures I wish that the individuals that entered professional/botanical garden photos had been provided a separate category in which to enter their photos. That way, the photos would not be immediately ruled out by those who feel that they should have not been entered in the Garden Landscapes Category. They have always been entered in this category. How sad that photos that look "too good" are being disregarded. One of them might really look good on a calendar. :o)

But everyone needs to judge the way they see fit and all voting will be subjective. I loved all of the photos and appreciate that the photographers shared them with us.

Great feedback! Thanks.

Htop, my exact thought was that an additional category be considered.

Unique Treasures, what a u-n-i-q-u-e response. Loved it!

All the photos were absolutely gorgeous, and I did consider each and every picture as I voted. To each and every photographer, good luck, and I am eagerly awaiting the results.

Thanks Gardenwife. I am saving for the $2,000 camera.

With so many wonderful photos submitted, it was the only way I could really narrow down the choices. As I'd open each one of them, I'd take that into consideration first and foremost. I know it wasn't a "calendar contest", but knowing that the winners WOULD be a calendar... well... that's just how I looked at it. There were just so many photos to go through. I only made it through about 6-7 of the categories.


Good Luck to each entrant. They were all wonderful.

Janet

Janet, I did the same thing when I was making my final choices. I thought about what I would like to see for 30 days on a calender. : )
~Lucy

Whew! Did you get through all of the categories? I hope you picked good ones for the ones I missed out on. :-)

No, I still had 3 or 4 categories to go, but ran out of time. It took a long time to go through all those pictures. : )
~Lucy

I bet not one of the winners was a 'professional' photographer. I'm not, just have been taking pictures for years and occasionally get a good shot in and anyone can do it no matter how cheap or expensive a camera it is, just take lots. It's all in the 'eye of the beholder'.
It is a 'Photo contest', no where does it say it has to be your personal garden.

Please re-read...........professional/botanical gardens - meaning those professionals who build and plant gardens as their occupation -- not professional photographers. You're right.... I doubt there are any professional photographers taking pictures to submit to this contest. And, I disagree about the quality of the camera. Give two cameras to any one individual, one highly rated and the other camera not so and take a picture of the same object with each camera, under the same lighting, same background, same focal point -- all conditions being the same (assuming the photographer is able to utilize each camera), the more advanced camera will take the better picture. Just enjoy the results of the contest. I did. Amen to this thread. I enjoyed the debate.

No debate on my part, you asked a question

I also feel that it is more the knowledge, skill and luck of right time and place with the photographer than what kind of camera they have. No matter what camera you buy, if you don't know how to use it the cost you paid won't matter. I judged the photos on how well they were taken from a photographers point of view not on how nice the garden was. But I see your point that it would be nice to not have to have my garden compete (in the eyes of some) with a botanical garden. With judging being just by the masses you know that many will vote for a photo just because it was taken by a friend or they may like it for some unknown reason even if others were better quality photos. I think that was pretty fair though when you consider that I doubt there were many pro photographers who voted.

The rub comes in that we limit the categories, so there are going to be things that get "lumped" together out of necessity. But limiting the categories has made a huge improvement in the overall member satisfaction (and participation) in the contest, because it keeps the number of entries manageable for the members to view and "judge".

This year, we launched the contest with the goal of having just enough categories so the winning photo from each could become part of a DG calendar, which really drove home the point of limiting the number of categories.

Hopefully those who choose to enter the contest understand that this category is for their best landscape shot - whether that is of their own garden, someone else's private garden, or one that is open to the public.

Calif_Sue,
Oh, wow, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to start a war...none here for sure. :) It certainly brought forth a lot of opinions in which I am interested. Purchasing a new camera, one that does it all, has been my agenda for quite a while now. Last night, I did read where someone has started a thread in regard to the specifics about what cameras are being used. Excellent. I can't wait to read the pros and cons. Once again, thanks...no animosity here.

Thank you, Terry, for the explanation.

None taken, it's all good. :-)

Oh, goody, we are still friends. :) :)
Thank you,

I am one who entered public garden photos in the contest and I have to tell you I took those pics only for showing it to others,especially to my DG friends. Our public garden was so pretty in spring, with all the tulips and all the trees blooming that I had to share it with you all,especially as coming from such a faraway country.
I also think the photos should be judged by their beauty . We have some excellent photographers here on DG and I can only say I am so lucky to be able to see their photos. It was so fun posting and judging for the contest !Many thanks to Dave,Terry and the team !
Adina

Adina, I loved those photos. Actually, I love all of your photos particularly your park settings and your oaks. Thank you for submitting them to the most appropriate category.

I've looked at all the winners and about half that were my personal favorites in a category didn't even place while the other half did. I suspect many of us subliminally made our picks based on which photos "spoke" to us. I did enlarge every last thumbnail and tried my best to do as tucsonjill mentioned by taking into consideration "Composition, framing, lighting, subject interest, timing... " because this was a photo contest but found my personal preferences for certain subjects and styles (that Wow factor mentioned by gardenwife) creeping into the equation. We're only human. I applaud all those who took the time to view all the thumbnails to vote. The best photos won because of our collective efforts.

I have to disagree with the notion that expensive camera equipment automatically makes one a good photographer or guarantees great photos. Over the years I've seen many photographers with camera bags bursting with the latest and greatest equipment who couldn't take a decent photograph if their lives depended on it. An eye for composition, lighting, being there at the right time of day, etc. is ultimately more important then the camera you are using. When I give photography programs to various groups I sometimes hold up a small camera bag and tell the audience that my single most important piece of camera gear is inside. I tell them it is responsible for the majority of my best photographs and ask them to guess what it might be. You should see their faces when I pull out an alarm clock.

Here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/651077/ are some examples of photographs taken with a $200 dollar camera.

early_bloomer

I voted for the pictures I liked, admired, were artful, unique, clear, focused (where intended), good composition. I respected the categories offered and respected the members who wanted to share their best. In the end this is for FUN. If one wants to enter a photography contest for $$$ they will and they will respect and adhere to the many rules and regulations of conditions for their entries.

Like when I'm playing golf. I'm not counting my strokes for a first place prize of $1,000,000 like Tiger Woods. Its for fun.

I had great fun and pleasure participating and viewing such really fabulous talent from all over the world on Davesgarden Web site. The whole thing is such a fantastic concept. There is more value in this whole dream than some of us can imagine.

Oh nice Early_Bloomer! When I get back from my folks, I'll spend an hour on that thread just clicking save as. I love evocative shots- only wish those guys were bigger so they'd fill up my whole desktop

Thank you for sharing those great photos of your beautfil landscape in PA. So inspiring and gee, you have a great eye, early_bloomer!

Wow. Awesome. Loved the geese and ducks at sunset and the farmhouse before what looks like a late afternoon storm. I miss weather. Here in The Valley of the Sun .... it's one gorgeous day after another! ;~}

And I agree with Aguane, you have a good eye for capturing an images, early_bloomer.

Hey folks, this is a photo contest. There appear to be few rules and anyone can enter if he is a DG member. Let's not make it something its not and just enjoy the beauty of the pictures. Anyone who took the time to enter their picture and those who voted did so because of what they believed was right and the best photo to them.. Please don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. Have a good Thanksgiving evening.

I have cameras that cost well over $2000 each and then there is my handy dandy digital that cost less than $400 that I use the most. Humbly I say that my $400 camera could have taken most any one of those pictures, not necessarily by me, but the camera is capable. It's all in knowing photography, how to make everything work for you and knowing your camera. As well, knowing how to fix and/or enhance things with software.

As I recall we had a similar issue last year. A complaint about tripods, macros and such.

I'm sorry that not everyone can take great photographs. But not everyone can grow every kind of plant either. Nor can everyone paint or draw. And not everyone is a good cook. On and on... It is a talent thing. And it does take work at learning about how everything works.

Then, there is the gardening aspect of it all.

You vote who you vote for president for your own reasons... same with the photo contest. I personally consider several things. The photo content is one of the major factors for me... yet at the same time, if the photo is just a bad photo... I won't vote for it either.

Not everyone gets to win at everything and not everything is always equally fair to everyone.

Donna

I agree that the photo quality is more in the eyes and hands of the photogropher than the equiptment. I admire good photography and recognize it when I see it but I never have yet taken a shot that was half as good as some my neighbor takes with his cell phone! He just has a special knack for it that I do not have no matter how much money I have wasted on cameras over the years. But I do get some decent snapshot quality pics that are good enough for my scrapbooks.

It's doubtful that I voted for any public gardens simply because I found other photos more appealing.

Plus there are DG gardens that outshine most public landscapes, that's for sure. One of those DGers is joining the writing staff here & has shown photos of his gardens, which are National Historic sites or part of the Smithsonian Institution's purview or something. Tough to top that!